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The decimation of the entire free world as it once was can be traced to a single shot fired.
All events that happened after were simply ripple effects. It is possible it could have been avoided, and it is also possible there was never a way to circumvent the bloodshed that followed.
But regardless, that shot symbolized the moment humanity betrayed its heroes, and subsequently sealed its own fate.
Before the Fall (as people call it), things were finally starting to get better for the world.
As they always do, before they get worse.
~ Twelve Months Ago~
Steve pants as he trudges back into the tower, his spandex suit practically melted to his skin at this point. They'd been fighting for hours, and super soldier or not, with the sun beating down outside like they were in the middle of the Sahara rather than Central Park, he was exhausted. His brain was all muddled, strained from battle, the tactics and worry and constant calculations finally taking their toll on him as the adrenaline finally begins to dissipate.
He's not stressed for once, however. No one was injured past a couple scrapes and bruises, and the property damage was contained to a small area of the park that could be easily roped off and repaired. There was no civilian collateral damage, and Fury even postponed the debrief because the mission wasn't urgent, just a angry programmer who made a bunch of knock off Doom Bots (which Tony insists are already knock offs, though he never specifies of what). So for once, Steve doesn't have to worry, he can just shower away the sweat, take a nap, and maybe grab dinner with the team.
"Wanda…. Pietro? Can I talk with you? Alone?" Tony's voice suddenly rings out, casual, his tone giving nothing away and strike that, Steve has plenty to be worried about. Suddenly, the heat evaporates and he's left with ice in his veins, wondering what on Earth Tony could be thinking. This is the first time they've all fought together since Ultron—except for Vision, who is currently off gallivanting around space with the self proclaimed 'Guardians of the Galaxy— and and as far as he's aware, both of the Maximoff twins still both despise the genius. They did agree to be on the team, well aware he would be present, so he doesn't think they would do anything….. but he isn't willing to trust Tony's life with them yet. Maybe not ever.
"Tony I don't think that-" He starts, and he knows some of what Clint dubs his 'Captain America voice' slips through, but Tony's gaze physically rips the words from his tongue. The older man's eyes are practically black they are so intense, and they're so damn desperate it hurts his heart a little. He's begging Steve to leave it be without a word, and he cannot help but comply. He knew informing Tony of the twins' history would have repercussions, but he'd hoped Tony would wait until things were less tense to confront the matter.
He is a fool. Who would believe Tony would wait to handle something like this.
He tries to think of something to say, but Wanda beats him to it, watching Tony carefully before slowly nodding in agreement, sharing a glance with Pietro.
Tony doesn't smile, but he nods in thanks, and then turns to glare at Steve, letting that glare skim over the rest of the team. "Hit the showers guys. We'll catch up." Tony commands, his voice unwavering. Everyone watches the exchange with wary eyes, looking to Steve, and it is obvious they share his worries, but there is nothing he can do. This is Tony's house, and as much as he hates it he cannot force the man away even for his own safety, and he cannot openly dismiss the Maximoffs, not when he barely convinced them to join.
"Come on team...let's go clean up. We'll see you all for dinner." He stresses, attempting to let Tony know he would be waiting up, but the genius ignores him, resolutely looking in the other direction. Steve sighs and shares a look with Natasha, whose blue eyes are glimmering with concern as they lead the team away, murmurs fluttering through the exhausted crowd as they are ushered out the door.
…..
Wanda watches Stark carefully as the rest of their new team exits the room. He stands completely still, still decked in his suit, minus the faceplate, and eyes his friends as they leave. But, once the door shuts behind a frazzled looking Banner, Tony whispers something to that AI of his, and his suit opens, letting him walk out unencumbered (unprotected). Wanda blinks at his boldness, wondering if he is simply very brave, or very stupid, to make himself so vulnerable to people whose family he had a hand in murdering. He doesn't even spare them a glance before walking towards Steve's usual chair—apparently this is the team's 'post mission room'— and grabbing the soldier's abandoned water bottle, chugging the contents. Wanda pauses a moment, assessing him.
His posture is reserved, giving nothing away, yet not defensive. In fact he would look completely casual if not for the sweat she dripping from the man's body. Wanda absently wonders exactly how hot it must be, fighting in a huge metal suit the over 100 degree weather.
Stark quickly startles her out of her musing though, sitting his water down and turning to address her and her brother. "So Steve, as I discovered today, has been playing protector again." He starts casually. Wanda raises an eyebrow, wondering exactly where he is going with this, and she can feel Pietro doing the same beside her. Stark notices quickly and smiles (obviously forced) and gestures in some unhelpful way, as if that explains.
"I mean that he just told me today exactly why you two harbor such hostility towards me. I was stupid enough to think it was simply because of Ultron—not that that isn't a solid reason—but your parents…..that changes things. Cap didn't tell because he didn't want me 'blaming myself for things beyond my control' but he has never been in this situation, and he doesn't understand it is my fault. In fact, I am extremely impressed you haven't tried to kill me yet—I wouldn't have been able to restrain myself if I were you."
He pauses a moment, falling into Rogers' chair, his head in his hands, and he chuckles bitterly before continuing. "I have had a bomb blow up in my face, with my own name literally scrawled across it, and to imagine you as children…..waiting for that after it had already killed your parents… I can't express how sorry I am in mere words, for as little as it means."
Suddenly he sits up straight, staring at both of them with an intensity that burns a little, and she eyes Pietro, seeing the same surprise in his face that must be evident in hers.
"I take full responsibility for my actions. I wronged you, and I know that revenge is why you teamed up with Ultron to begin with. I want you to know if that's still what you want, I understand. I've instructed Jarvis not to interfere, and to back up whatever you wish to say. I know you two are trying here with the team, and I don't want to ruin that for you as well, so say I provoked you, attacked you even—Jarvis will fabricate whatever footage you need. If you'd rather, I'll leave. I'll quit the team and I'll vanish from your lives, so you can live on in peace without having to ever see me again. I refuse to stay here everyday forcing you to work and live with me knowing what I've cost you, not without giving you a chance to get some closure. It's all I can give you, I'm sad to say."
Wanda gapes as she realizes what exactly Stark is offering.
Revenge. He's offering to let them kill him. And get away with it. Or, to abandon the team he obviously cares so much for in order to let them have a place here. This…. was not an individuality they anticipated when they decided to take the Captain up on his offer.
They expected to have to endure, as they always have. To see his face everyday, flaunting his lack of guilt, but to hopefully suffer through it for the chance to right some of their own mistakes. Which they could do, because they have improved, they logically know now that Stark was simply a tool in their parent's murder, not the man who pulled the trigger. But years of hatred do not evaporate so easily, and it hasn't helped that the man seemingly didn't care—he typically doesn't even spare them a glance, as if the victims of his sins aren't worth his time. It never even crossed her mind, either of their minds, that perhaps Stark wasn't even aware he was the one who indirectly made them victims.
This does certainly change things. It was easy to villainize, hate this man when he was some impersonal puppet master who cost her her family. But now, sitting there, looking accepting and tired and so painfully human…..she just can't find that loathing in her. Resentment yes, that likely won't fade for awhile…. but she can't hurt him. She won't become the monster Hydra wanted her to be. Her parents wouldn't want that for her. Stark is not some larger than life murderer...he's just a man, one who is desperately attempting to pay for his mistakes. Much like her and her brother.
...
Pietro stares at Stark, sitting there utterly defenseless, and he can't deny he is tempted. He has hated this man his entire life, and rational or not it's still hard to banish the idea of this man murdering his family. But Pietro still remembers right from wrong, and he knows it would be wrong to hurt Stark, to take his anger at the world out on him. He knows vaguely of this man's past, his stint in Afghanistan and the man called Stane, who is likely the real man at fault for the death of his parents. But yet Stark brought none of that up in his speech, he never tried to justify himself. He built the weapons, and he's trying to atone for that now. Anthony Stark is trying to redeem himself through Iron Man as they are through the Avengers, and he's willing to give that up in order to provide them the closure he believes they need. Pietro cannot imagine giving up hope of redemption. He and his sister had killed a lot of innocent people working for Hydra, they were manipulated and used as tools, just as the man in front of them had been. Now they are trying to make that right, and he knows now the first step in that will be moving through this.
He opens his mouth, to say something (though he isn't sure exactly what words would have tumbled out of his mouth), but before he can Wanda's hands begin to glow, and true to his word Stark doesn't move. She takes a step towards the billionaire, and Pietro grabs her arm to stop her. He knows she would regret actually hurting the man, especially when he is completely defenseless. But Wanda just looks at him sharply, her expression determined, but not angry or murderous. He nods slowly and releases her, not sure exactly what she intends to do, but sure she won't hurt Stark. Wanda smiles softly in thanks and places her hands on either side of the genius' head, and Pietro watches in fascination as brown eyes glow red from his sister's magic.
Stark tenses suddenly, and Wanda's forehead crinkles in that way that means she's searching for something. Pietro cannot imagine exactly what she could be searching for in the man's mind, but he trusts her to keep him in the loop.
Everything is quiet for a moment before Wanda frowns and backs away from Stark, her fingers intertwining with Pietro's, her smaller hand trembling from the use of her power. He almost asks her if she's alright, but the moment their skin touches his mind is flooded with images, images of a young boy being screamed at by a dark haired man, hateful words and merciless fists flying through the air. A bomb labeled STARK INDUSTRIES exploding in front of his eyes, shrapnel imbedding itself in his chest, piercing and damming and inescapable. Pietro can feel the echo of pain from his chest being cut open, his heart held in another's hands as he lies awake, trashing. He feels the fear of waterboarding, and devastation at the death of a man named Yinsen. He is overwhelmed with betrayal as he watches Stane ripping the Arc Reactor out of his chest, feels his body begin to shut down. He sees his—Stark's reflection as he aims his gauntlet at the mirror, feels his guilt and self-hatred bubbling to the surface. He feels the poison from the Arc Reactor working it's way through his body, and the mixed joy-disappointment when he cures it. Pietro hears the Captain telling him he would never lay down on the wire, and that he isn't a hero. Then, everything is black before the stars come into focus, and a terrifying,overwhelming number of space ships come into focus in his fading vision, and a nuke explodes in front him, strangely beautiful in its destruction. Then suddenly the images start coming faster, the Mandarin, the panic attacks, the redheaded woman Pepper falling to her death, and the overwhelming feeling of relief when she survives. Ultron. Surprisingly he even sees Barnes, and he hears himself—Stark, assuring him he doesn't hate him. That it would take time to accept, but that he doesn't blame him for his parents murder. That he knows it was Hydra. Absently, Pietro wonders if the Captain knows about that particular conversation.
Pietro gasps as the visions finally fade, and as the world comes back into focus he locks eyes with his sister. Her countenance swims with emotion and he squeezes her hand comfortably, trying not to think of their own less than stellar childhoods. After a moment, Wanda finally sighs, and he hears her soft voice in his mind, her words obviously hard to even mentally vocalize, but sincere.
"He has suffered enough."
Pietro hesitates for only a moment before nodding in agreement, his head still slightly fuzzy from what he just witnessed. He knows now why she wanted to look into Stark's mind—she needed to know, needed to know if this is him truly repenting or simply acting for their benefit. Which is very obviously not the case. Wanda smiles softly at him and he feels his heart warm, because damn if he hadn't missed his sister having reasons to smile. They'd been unhappy so long, the both of them. Still they are. Burdened by first hate, and now guilt…..he just wants them to be free of that. And now they can. Stark has suffered enough to pay for his part in the death of their parents...and now they can work to finally let go of this hate, to move on with their lives. They can forgive, and maybe one day be forgiven.
Wanda rubs her thumb across his knuckle, no doubt reading his thoughts, before she lets go, dropping to kneel in front of Stark, who for his part looks utterly baffled.
"We are going to give you a chance Mr. Stark, I believe you have earned yourself 've suffered enough to repent for your role in our parents deaths—a small role, we now know. And if you can forgive James Barnes for murdering your parents personally, I believe we can offer the same to you, with time. We too have made some poor decisions and placed our trust in the wrong people. Stay on the Avengers Tony Stark, as will we. We are all trying to atone for our sins. If we ask forgiveness for ours we cannot withhold the same opportunity from you."
Her voice is gentle, and Pietro smiles at her, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. So much like their mother, and she doesn't even realize it. He hopes, god he hopes they're making the right choice, that this will allow he and his sister to finally find peace from their pasts and attempt to move forward. He knows that this resentment will take time to shed, but God he doesn't want to wear it anymore.
Stark (Pietro wonders if he should start calling him Tony at some point, he did just see the man's soul) just gapes, his expression lost, as if he understand the words Wanda is saying but cannot grasp the meaning. In that moment, Pietro can see what the rest of the Avengers see: a scared, broken man just trying to protect the people he cares about. Pietro scoffs lightly to himself and wonders how many people have faced the dilemma of realizing that Stark is much easier to hate from a distance.
Stark looks towards him after a moment, obviously searching for some sort of confirmation or denial, and Pietro is more than ready to end this entire dramatic scene and just go take a shower already. So he just smirks at the stupefied genius.
"Didn't see that one coming eh?" He drawls, and at Stark's wary gaze he finally just nods assent. "Clean slate and all Stark. Can't promise we will be friends, but give us time, and we shall give you the benefit of the doubt."
He can see Stark struggling to come to terms with what he probably believes is a completely unlikely twist, and Pietro feels reassured again that they're making the right choice. For him, and likely Wanda too, the willingness to accept whatever punishment they saw fit convinced him that Stark deserves a chance as much as the memories did. If he had tried to justify it, push all blame away, Pietro doesn't think he would have handled this so maturely. Actually, he's positive he wouldn't have. He wouldn't have killed Stark (he doesn't think), but he probably would have beat the man within an inch of his life.
"Thank you." Tony finally croaks, his voice disbelieving and humbled. Pietro smiles awkwardly as he pulls Wanda up, and blissfully directs them towards the door. But something stops him before he turns out, and he looks back, making eye contact with the genius. "Just don't waste it Stark."
He didn't mean to echo a dead man's words, but he means them all the same.
Sooooo what is going on is that I am slowly revamping my stories. My writing style has evolved since I began writing on this site, and for my WIP stories, at least this one and 'Save My Lost Soul' I intend to revamp and continue them. THE STORY MIGHT CHANGE A BIT, so please if you intend to continue following this story or any others I rewrite, read the revamped chapters.